COURAGE - CHARACTER - PREDICTABILITYShow
puppies by Anatomy; Loyal Companions
and Protection by Nature; Health and Longevity by good
genetics; and proven by Health
Testing Certifications. Brought to you by a
thoughtful knowledgeable trusted
breeder of over 45 years.
Breeders of the finest quality Schutzhund/IPO
titled & Breed Surveyed German Shepherds in the United
States. Our breeding
program maintains
the integrity of the
German Shepherd's heritage to preserve the ideal human-canine bond.
"BREEDING HEALTHY DOGS BY DESIGN"

Excellent Link to pet/health videosAny health care links located here
are NOT to replace a veterinarian visit; please take your dog to a vet
immediately at any sign of odd behavior or any symptoms of illness or
injury. Call your vet and describe your dog's symptoms with any of your
concerns about the dog's well-being. Your veterinarian may discover
changes in your dog's health that you have overlooked. It is always
better to err on the side of caution

Formula for Active Dog &
Puppies contains high levels
of Proteins and Energy with only 30%
carbohydrates! This super premium food is
naturally formulated with added vitamins,
minerals and other additives that work
together to support a strong and healthy
immune and digestive system. As with all
Victor dog foods, this formula is free
from Corn, Wheat, Soy or Glutens and is also
made using GMO Free. Dogs love the
all natural flavor of this super premium
food

HOW TO GREET A DOGClick on photo for the
BEST INFORMATION YOU CAN EVER HAVE ON MEETING OTHER PEOPLES
DOGS-Children really need to learn this.

THIS is why you do not walk your dogs on asphalt or concrete
in the summer. If you see someone walking their dogs on
asphalt or concrete, PLEASE educated them and get the pet to
cooler ground. Original post was from Pet Ambulance Victoria

This should be sent to all the veterinarians including the specialists!

We have received two notices.
(1) Nails wrapped in cheese at dog parks in Chicago and
Massachusetts (see pic). (2) from some friends that in
Augusta Maine dog park, antifreeze is being found in doggie
water bowls. Please beware and be careful and PLEASE SHARE
and spread the word

Ever wonder where puppy mill dogs come from? Here's an
example. Many get cooked alive in the sun and freeze to
death in the winter. If you purchase your dog from a pet
store, I can guarantee your "AKC" certified dog came from a
place like this. This one is even better than the ones
I saw in Iowa and Missouri!

Do you recognize she is a Yorkie?
Please do not purchase your pet from a Pet shop, Backyard
breeder or Commercial Puppy Mill.

ALL PETS RESCUES
needs your help!

"The man who rears a
dog must complete what the breeder began..." Max v. Stephanitz; Father of
the German Shepherd Dog

This is a real
combination of symptoms that spells out EMERGENCY. These are the classic
symptoms of a condition referred to as "bloat" - a dog that is pacing,
restless and has unproductive attempts to vomit.

This is a common problem in large breed
deep-chested dogs but can also occur in smaller dogs.

Basically what happens is this - the
stomach twists causing the blood supply to the stomach to be compromised
then leads to tissue death. As tissues are damaged, toxins are released
and a sequence of events occurs that if left untreated, leads to death.

If you ever notice these symptoms in
your dog, call your local veterinarian or emergency clinic as soon as
possible.

This is a condition that is fairly
common and often occurs in the evening or nighttime hours. It is also a
very expensive condition to treat. READ MORE...

Dealing with Excessive Barking

The first step to stopping barking is to understand why it is
happening. Dogs bark for all kinds of reasons, including
anxiety, boredom and/or loneliness. Sometimes they bark just
because it feels good. Luckily, most dogs will respond to
one or other intervention to curtail their barking. Whether you
simply bring an outdoor dog inside or take the time to apply
behavior-modification techniques, you can cause a dog to be less
of a nuisance and to be more socially acceptable.

Removing Skunk Odor

No need for the tomato juice. Use a mixture of 10 parts hydrogen
peroxide to 1 part baking soda. Add a dash of degreasing
dishwashing soap and pour into a spray bottle. Spray liberally
over dry coat and allow to air dry. Avoid eyes. Works on other
objects, too!

A dog's spine is made up of numerous small
bones called vertebrae. These extend from
the base of the skull all the way to the end
of the tail. The vertebrae are
interconnected by flexible discs of
cartilage - the intervertebral discs. These
discs provide cushioning between each bone
and permit the neck, spine, and tail to
bend, allowing changes in position and
posture. Above the discs and running through
the bony vertebrae is the spinal cord, which
is made up of a mass of nerve fibers that
run back and forth between the brain and the
rest of the body.

What is
diskospondylitis?

Diskospondylitis (also spelled 'discospondylitis',
and termed vertebral osteomyelitis') is a
bacterial or fungal infection of the
vertebrae and the intervertebral discs in
dogs. The resulting swelling,
inflammation and bone deformities
seen in diskospondylitis put pressure or
compression on the spinal cord which runs
through the vertebrae. The disease is termed
"spondylitis" when only the vertebrae are
involved. The disease should not be confused
with 'spondylosis,' which is a
non-infectious fusion or degeneration of the
vertebrae.

What causes
diskospondylitis?

Diskospondylitis seems to occur most
commonly in areas of the country that have a
problem with plant awns (e.g., grass seeds,
fox tails). It is thought that bacteria or
fungi on the awns enter the blood system
when the awns pierce the skin. Bacterial
endocarditis, urinary tract infections, or
dental disease/extractions may be another
means by which bacteria enter the
bloodstream and infect the vertebrae.
Brucella canis has also been
found to cause the disease in dogs.

What are the
symptoms of diskospondylitis?

Common symptoms of this disease include
weight loss, lack of appetite, depression,
fever, and back pain. Dogs with this disease
are generally reluctant to run or jump.

How is
diskospondylitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of diskospondylitis can be
difficult. Blood tests,
urinalysis, radiographs (x-rays), and
spinal taps may be necessary to diagnose the
disease.
Cultures of blood and urine are
often performed to help isolate the cause
and choose the appropriate treatment.
Myelography may be indicated to
determine the exact location of spinal
compression. Surgery may be needed to reduce
the compression on the spinal cord.

How is
diskospondylitis treated?

Treatment is based on finding the
causative agent - fungal or bacterial.
Because bone infections are difficult to
treat, therapy lasts at least six weeks and
may continue for six months or more. Taking
radiographs at regular intervals during
treatment helps monitor the progress. The
lesions seen early in the disease should
resolve with treatment.

Clinical improvement (lessening of
symptoms) usually occurs within two weeks of
starting treatment. Pain medication may be
needed early in treatment. Exercise
restriction may help decrease the pain also.

The prognosis depends on the ability to
eliminate the infection and on how much
nerve damage resulted from the spinal
compression.